Rohan Dennis seeks limit on how far from home grand tours start

Australian race leader Rohan Dennis says there should be a limit on how far from home grand tour events can go.

Rohan Dennis wearing the leader's pink jersey during stage three of the Giro

Australian race leader Rohan Dennis has praised Israeli authorities for their handling of the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia but says there should be a limit on how far from home grand tour events can go.

The Giro made history when it became the first grand tour to start outside Europe, with an opening time trial and two sprint stages in Israel. The riders flew back to Italy yesterday, ahead of the fourth stage in Sicily last night, with Dennis wearing the leader’s pink ­jersey.

Organisers have previously mooted the idea of starting the race in Japan or the US. While Dennis enjoyed the three-day stint in Israel he said there must be a limit on how far riders are expected to travel on the rest day.

“The only thing we could have improved with coming to Israel is flying (back to Italy) tonight,” Dennis said on Sunday. “It’s not ideal that we fly tomorrow.

“It’s probably what we’d have to do with Japan or New York. I’m not sure there’s a rule with the amount of time we’re allowed to fly, otherwise one day we may start in Australia.

“You just never know where the limits are or where people will push the limit to. I think there has to be a point where we go: ‘OK, that’s too far’.

“I wouldn’t want to travel any more than five hours on a flight on a rest day.”

He said it might come to the point he would refuse to take part in a grand tour if the distances travelled on rest days became too much.

Dennis’s ability to avoid danger meant he took an advantage into the fourth stage. “It’s the first time I have ever held on to it (the pink jersey), it’s quite special to have it while you’re in Italy and the goal now is to keep it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the International Cycling Union says two Argentinian riders have tested positive for doping at the second-tier Tour of San Juan stage race.

Race winner Gonzalo Najar tested positive for CERA, an advanced version of the endurance-boosting hormone EPO. Najar was Argentina’s road-race champion in 2017.

The UCI said Najar’s teammate, Gaston Javier, tested positive for anabolic steroids at the same week-long race in January.

Both riders are provisionally suspended during the investigation. The UCI said its disciplinary commission would consider suspending the second-tier Sindicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan team. UCI rules let it block teams from racing for up to 45 days after two positive tests in a 12-month period.

Agencies